Kowashimizu Trail Head - Misaka Pass - Sonohara Route
The Tosando was developed over 1,300 years ago and was one of seven of Japan’s first-ever official roads that connected the then capital of Omi in modern-day Shiga Prefecture and the provinces. At about 1,000 km long, the Tosando was an extremely long inland road that lead to Mutsu in present-day Miyagi Prefecture. The path was traveled by officials responsible for the expansion of the Imperial Court’s influence in the north of the Japanese mainland, as well as sakimori warriors sent to defend northern Kyushu, people delivering taxes and tribute to the Imperial Court, and horses raised in Shinano (now Nagano Prefecture) and used in the capital.
On this excursion, guests will hike along the old Tosando from the Kowashimizu Trail Head to Sonohara in Achi Village via the Misaka Pass (Altitude 1,569m). In ancient times crossing the Misaka Pass was known as the hardest section of the Tosando. Not only was the road steep, long, and mountainous, but the weather was also said to be extremely volatile, with sudden dense fog and thunderstorms making it difficult for travelers to get around. Sonohara, located on the eastern side of the mountain range, is a village with beautiful views and a nostalgic rural Japanese atmosphere. Many an ancient tale of Sonohara and the Misaka Pass has been told by travelers on the Tosando.
The area, with its harsh yet beautiful nature, has been written about in several Japanese historical documents since the early 8th century, as well as in waka poems composed by travelers. The area also captured the imagination of people far away in the Imperial Courts and has been written about in prominent classical Japanese literature. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (said to be the world’s oldest full-length novel) and The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon are both works of art written by female authors of the Imperial Court in the early 11th century and both feature the Misaka Pass.
Enjoy over 1,300 years of history, culture, and nature on this beautiful hike.
Nature/Culture/Activity
・For customers who enjoy trekking on a regular basis, this is a great excursion from Magome-juku on the Nakasendo.
・The trail is a path where people and commodities went in ancient times. Enjoy trekking in the footsteps of those days.
・The trail is one of the trails in the Fujimidai Plateau, located in the Ena mountain range at the southern end of Japan’s Central Alps. Visitors can enjoy abundant nature and scenic views
・The last part of the trail, from Misaka Shrine to Sonohara Visitor Center, offers a pleasant walk in the beautiful Japanese satoyama (the border area between mountain foothills and hamlets) sceneries.
26,500JPY~ for 2ppl
19,600JPY~ for 3ppl
17,500JPY~ for 4ppl
14,000JPY~ for 5ppl
13,500JPY~ for 6ppl
08:30/17:10
08:30 Meet at Magome-juku A1 Parking Lot (greeting by guide)
08:30~09:00 Transfer to Kowashimizu Trailhead (by private car)
09:00 Start walking
11:00 11:00 Arrive at Bangakuso
11:00-11:40 Lunch (at Bangakuso dining hall, pay cash by yourself.)
14:40 Arrive at Misaka Shrine
15:40 Arrive at Sonohara Visitor Center
15:40-16:30 Visit Sonohara Visitor Center
16:30-17:10 Transfer from Sonohara Visitor Center to Magome-juku A1 Parking Lot (by private car), end
of tour
Nakasendo Magome-juku A1 Parking Lot
May ~ November
12 yrs and above
3 weeks prior
Minimum 4 Maximum 8
Clothing and shoes suitable for hiking and matching the weather conditions. Items may include rain gear (coat/pants), backpack, drinks (1 liter), trail snacks, gloves, hat, sunglasses, down layers, hiking poles, etc.
4
[Distance] Approx. 9.2km
[Elevation difference] Approx. 780m
The first half is a steep climb followed by a steep descent in the second half. Sufficient physical strength is required.
2
There are no rocky areas or chains.
Private car from Magome-juku to Kowashimizu Trail Head, private car from Sonohara Visitor Center to Tsumago-juku, English-speaking guide fee.
Transportation to/from the meeting point, luggage transportation (please leave your large luggage at the hotel where you will be staying before participating in this tour), insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country), anything else not specified in “what is included” above.
(Bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the participants)
N/A
[Fees in case of cancellation on behalf of the customer ]
– Cancellation 10-8 days before the starting day of the tour: 20% of the tour price.
– Cancellation 7-2 days before the starting day of the tour: 30% of the tour price.
– Cancellation the day immediately before the starting day of the tour: 40% of the tour price.
– Cancellation before the start of the tour on the day of the tour: 50% of the tour price.
– Cancellation after the start of the tour or the traveler does not participate in the tour without notice (no show): 100% of the tour price.
[Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer]
– If the tour operator deems it difficult to ensure the safety of passengers due to inclement weather or other unavoidable circumstances, the tour will be cancelled prior to the start of the tour.
– The route may be changed or the tour may be cancelled due to weather conditions after the tour has started.
– In these cases, no cancellation fee will be charged to the customer. Refunds or other measures will be taken in accordance with the provisions of the Japanese Standard Travel Conditions.